Safety device for tanks



W. G. CARRUTH.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR TANKS.

APPLICATION FIlED APH. 25. 1918. IIENEINED MIG. 9' 1920.

1,372,062. Patentd Mar. 22, 1921. Y

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PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G, GLBUTH, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SAIETY DEVICE FOR TANKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application #led April 25, 1918, Serial No. 230,852. Renewed August 9,1020. Serial No. 402,608.

To all 'wlwm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. CARRUTH, a citizen of the United States,residin at Brooklyn in the county of Kings and tate of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Tanks, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements iu safety devices for tanks, andhas particular relation to devices operative in connection with fuelsupply tanks for motor vehi cles. The invention may be considered as ananti-theft structure in that it is designed primarily for two purposes,viz: (a) as a means for preventing theft of the motor vehicle itselfthrough closing the supply of fuel from the tank to the carburetor, and

(b) the reventioii of theft of fuel from the 'tank itse f.

Various means have been employed in an attempt to prevent passage offuel from the tank to the carbureter, these generally being arra ed witha valve interposed within the pipe line leading from theV tank to thecarburetor, the purpose being to close this valve when the vehicle isunattended, a suitable locking device being employed to lock the valvein its closed position, a key being employed to open the valve when itis desired to again use the vehicle. This type of apparatus has thedisadvantage of locating the valve structure external of thetank, makingit possible to tap the line on each side of the valve and by-plss thefuel through a separate connection. While attempts have been made tomeet this .condition by locatin the valve or closure within the tank-atthe outlet for the tank oontents-such structures have heretofore been ofa type which are more or less cumpli-- cated in operation, thuspractically eliminating the advantages obtained by reason of the factthat the necessity for careful manipulation, etc. generally causes theowner to discard the apdparatus as more or less of a nuisance. In aition, the structures heretofore employed in this typehave usually beenlocated in alinement with the filling o ening, with the result that thestructures o'er more or less o'f an obstruction during the filling oeration. Furthermore, the structures emp eyed in the latter ty e, whilehavin the closure located within t e tank, genera ly have the lockingmechanism external of the tank and therefore accessible in a manner topermit of manipulation to move the closure to an open position.

The present invention is designed to provide a structure in which theclosure is lo manipulation to move the closure froinitsseat excepting byone havin a key operative to release the internal loe ing means. Inaddition, the structure is arranged out of alinement with the filling oening in order that no obstruction to the lling operation may be had. naddition to thus providing a ositive closure for the outlet of the tank,'rectly under the control of the owner, I provide an anti-theftstructure for preventing theft of the fuel contents of the tank throughthe filling opening, thus reducing the loss due to this practice. Thestructure for this pui'- pose operates to lock the closure for thefilling opening against removal, with the lock also arranged internal ofthe tank.

In practice, the invention contemplates 'the use of both structures withcommon operating and control means, so that when t e owner desires torender the anti-theft mechanism active it will become active,v at bothpoints, both being made inactive concurrently.

Another` feature of the invention `is .a structural arrangement suchthat no 'tools Ler keys need be employed to render the structuralactive, a projecting element being' moved into a more or less`housedrelation to the tank when it is desired to provide activity, thismovement automatically brin ing into operation a locking structure whici retains 4the parts active until a releasing mechanismis made active,Vthe ylatter ref leasing the holding means and permitting the locking andclosing devices to pass to inactivity.

To these and other ends,

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therefore tlie natureof which will be` readily undertood iso drawings,and more parthe accompanyin d out 1n the appended ticularly pointeclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts in each of the views:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a portion of a tank,`showingthe parts 1n position to close the outlet and lock the closure for thefilling opening.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of parts shown in Flg. 1, theparts being shown in a ditl'erent position-practically at the completionof t e releasing movement provided by the key.

Fig. 3 is a view artly in section and partly in elevation in icating away in which the apparatus may be applied to a tank havingT curvedwalls.

ig. 4 1s a fragmentary perspective vlew showlng a change incross-sectional configuration in some of the elements.

In the drawings, 10 indicates a tank of suitable formation, such forinstance as that for containing the fuel for a motor vehicle, the tankbeing showin as having an upper wall 10 and a lowerWall 10",l it beingunderstood, of course, that these terms are more or less relative. Theupper wall is shown as carrying a depending ilange 11 to form thefilling opening for the tank, the fiange being shown as threaded toreceive a closure 12 having a skirt 12adapted to be threaded to flange11. Wall 10" carries the fuel outlet, the latter being indicated asprovided by a fitting 13, secued to the wall and having a fuelpassageway extending therethrough, the inner end of the passageway beinglocated within the tank and having a form adapted to provide a seat fora closure Shown as in they form of a valve 14. The fitting' is connectedup to the usual connections leading to a carbureter (not shown.)

Valve 14 is yieldably supported in any suitable manner by a stem 15,said stem, for illustrative purposes only, being shown as recessed atits lower end to receive the 'shank of the valve, the recess and shankbeing formed to permit relative movement in the direction o length ofthe stem, any suitable means for this purpose being adapted to beemployed, that shown being in the form of a pin and slot connection,this arrangement permitting a limited length of movement of the valve toprovide a flexible connection between the valve and stem, a sprin 16being mounted on the shank of the va ve and tending to retain the valveseated when the stem is being moved downwardly, and at the same timeeliminating an absolutely rigid connection between the stem and valve.If desired, fitting 1-3 may carry pins 17 which tend to guide the valvein its movements.

Stem 15 is mounted within a barrel ,or

hollow casing 18 forming part of a supporting structure for theoperating mechanism, this structure being preferabl secured to the innerface of wall 105, the arrel 18 depending from this Wall. The barrel isshown as being provided with a cap 18 adapted to close the lower endthereof, this cap having an opening for the passage of stem 15.

Secured to the upper end of stem l5 is an actuntin and locking member19, shown as threaded: to the stem and being provided with an annulargroove 20 and with an inverted cone-shaped portion 21 to provide aninclined face 21a. The upper end of member 19 is shown as in the form ofa pin 22 which extends through wail 10a of the tank.l

Mounted in an offset 18b of the barrel is a locking bolt 23 providedwith a lateral projection 23 and a lug 23", the latter bein adapted tocoperate with groove 20 to loc the stem in an inward position, bolt 23being adapted to reciprocate in the offset to permit t 1e bolt to beretracted, a spring 24, interposed between the outer end of the boltported on a projection of the bolt-tending to retain the bolt in itsinner or locking fr sition but permitting free retracting movements ofthe bolt., these latter movements being provided by suitable means, thatshown being in the form of an actuating member 26 forming part of a lockstructure 26. For purposes of illustration, the lock structure is shownas of the type of the Yale lock, the escutcheon of which is located onthe outer side of wall 10", the tumbler section of the lock beinglocated in a casing structure positioned above oii'set 18", projection23 extending through an opening in the housing of bolt 23 and into thepath of movement of actuating member 26,

The normal position of stem l5 is approximately that shown in Fig. 2 inwhich the upper face of cone-shaped portion 21 is, in proximity to theinner face of wall 10, pin 22 projecting a suitable distance above saidwall. This view illustrates the position of parts at the `time when bolt23 has been retracted, stem 15, member 19 and valve 14 being movedupward to this position by the action of a spring 2,7 surrounding stem15, retraction of bolt 2d being had by the turning of a key 28 tooperate actuating member 26, the connected structure, which includesmember 19, shifting to. this position as soon as lug 23 has passed outof groove 20. These locks are generally of a ty e which provide forreturn movement of t e device is inactives Aswill be seen by referringto Fig. 1, the length of relative movement between the valve and stem 15is less than the distance,

-titting 13. When it 1s desired to close this outlet, it is necessaryonly to move pin 22 to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus moving theentire connected structure including valve 14 and groove 20, the inwardmovement of the pin continuing until lug 23h again enters groove 20,valve 14 having in the meantime been seated. Lug 23h and member 19 belowgroove 20 are referably provided with inclined faces, so t at duringthis downward or inward movement of member 19, bolt 23 will be movedoutward to permit member 19 to pass to proper position, whereupon spring24 will act to throw bolt 23 inward to locate 1u 23" in roove 20.

The proportions o parts is preferably such that in the inward or lockingosit'ion of member 19, the upper or outer en of pin 22 will besubstantially flush with the outer face of wall 10 although this is notessential.

As will be seen, the movement of member 19 so as to seat valve 14 is notdependent upon the use of key 28, pin 22 being moved from the positionof Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 1 by pressure applied by the hand or foot ofthe operator, dependinghupon the particular location of the device,t eocking action taking place automatically with the lockingmechanismlocated entirely within the tank and so locatedas to preventtampering therewith from the exterior of the tank. Hence, the lock andkey structure is employed only in connection with the movement of bolt23 to release the locked condition of member 19, whereupon said memberautomatically returns to position to unseat valve 14.

In addition to controlling the outlet, member 19 is arranged to providefor locking closure 12 against an opening movement of the closure, thisbeing provided by the use of a locking bolt 29 which is movable in anopenin in flange 11 and into an opening 12" forme in the skirt 12l ofthe closure member, said o ning (which may be a recess) preferabl avinvaeoniguration which will permit o a smal movement of the closure whenthe bolt is .in its inner or locking` posi tion, this arrangement beingprovided in order to take care of possibilities of threading movement ofclosure 12 not being precisely the same in each instance when restoredto osition after having been removed, sma l changes in this respect notpreventing proper entrance of the inner end of bolt 29 into the openingor recess.

The opposite end of bolt 29 is provided with an inclined face 29* whichcopcrates wfith face 21n of member 19 to control the position of bolt29, the latter having a lateral projection 30 carrying a guide pin 31,the latter in turn carrying a spring 32 interposed between a stationarypart of the supporting structure and projection 30, this latterarrangement being such as to tend to retain bolt 29 in its inactiveposition as shown in Fig.' 2, in which bolt 29 is shown as retracted toa lposition where closure 12 can be .unscrewed for filling purposes.

When, however, pin 22 is moved inward,

faces 21 and 29a coperate to cause bolt 29 to move to the position shownin Fig. 1, the length of face 21* beingy such that with member 19 in itsinner position, a portion of face 21I remains in contact with face 29,thus retaining bolt 29 in its projected position.

It will thus be seen that l have 4provided a device which, in inactiveposition, leaves the closure for the filling opening free to be opened,and valve 14 for the outlet to the tank entirely open, thus permittingthe ordinary operations. If, for instance, the user of the automobiledesires to place the device in its active position where supply of fuelto the carbureter is cut oi, pin 22 is depressed and automaticallylocked in its depressed position, thus closing the supply outlet for thecarbureter, and at the same time projecting bolt 29 into the skirt ofclosure 12 to prevent removal of the closure` the parts remaining inthis position until actuating member 21. is Jperated to retract bolt 23,when the device automatically passes to inactive position. As beforepointed out` this movement of memlwr26l is had by the use of a properkey, the function. of which is sim ly to restore the inactivity of thedevice, t ere being no necessity for key manipulation when member 19 ismoved to its locked position.

As will be seen, substantially the entire mechanism is located offsetwith respect to the filling opening,the only structure which ma extendinto that opening being bolt 29, an this bolt is normally retracted outof the o ning, so that when closure 12 is removes:3 the entire fillingopening is unobstructed, permitting the use of any desired means forfilling operations.

In Fi 3 I have indicated the manner in which t e parts may be secured toa curved wall 10.

As will be understood, the particular form of lock employed is notmaterial to the invention, it being essential only that an actuatingmember (as for instance 26 or its equivalent) be resented at a pointwhere it may be made e ective on projection 23.

'foV

It will also be understood that the particular configuration of partsshown may be varied. For instance, barrel 18 may .be of angularcrosssection, as shown, for 1nstance, in Fig. 4, in which case member 19would have a complemental configuration, and groove 2O need simply be aslot 1n one wall and face 21a provided in another Wall, these being`obviously equivalent structures. And I also desire it to be understoodthat I do not limit myself to the more or less yieldabie connectionbetween the valve and stem, since it is obvious that the pin and slotconnection between the stem of valve 14 and stem 15 may be omitted,together with spring 1G, if found desirable, valve 14 and stem 15 beingpermanently secured together, thus providing a rigid connection betweenthe valve 14 and stem 15, although it is preferred that the connectionbe in some form of a yielding or lost motion connection.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred arrangement andconstruction of parts, it will be readily understood that changes andmodifications therein may be found desirable or necessary in meeting theexigencics of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the rightto make any and all such changes or modifications, in so fai' as thesame may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressedin the accompanying claims when broadly construed.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet,and a rcmovable closure for the filling opening, of movable means withinthe tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking said closureagainst opening movement, said means including a normally-inactivelatching structure rendered active by means movement in providing theclosing and locking action.

2. The combination with a tank having a lilling opening and un outlet,and a removable closure for the shii'iable means within the tank forconcurrently closing the outlet and locking said closure against openingmovement, said means being rendered active at will and including anclement permanently carried by said means and projecting from the tankduring means inactivity. said element being shiftable to render saidmeans active.

3. The combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet,and a 'removable closure for the filliin,r opening, of shiftable meanswithin the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking lsaidclosure against opening movement, said means being normally inactive andrendered active at will, and normally-inactive mechamsm rendered activeby Ineens movement 'tiered active filling opening, of

to activity for maintainin such means activity, said mechanism beingoperative to restore means inactivity at will.

4. lThe combination with a tank having a filling opening and an outlet,and a removable closure for the filling opening, of shiftable meanswithin the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking saidclosure against opening movement, said means being normally inactive andrendered active at will, and a normally-inactive lockstructure renderedactive by means movement to activity for maintaining such meansactivity, said lock structure belng operative to restore meansinactivity at will.

5. The combination with a tank having a lilling opening and an outlet,and a removable closure for the filling opening, of shiftable meanswithin the tank for concurrently closing the outlet and locking saidclosure against opening movement, said means be ing normally inactiveand including an element projecting from the tank during meansinactivity and shiftable to render l the means active, and echanismcoperative with the means in maintaining the closed and locked conditionand operative in the restoration of means inactivity said mechanismbeing normally inactive and rensolely in the presence of such condition.

6. The combination with a tank having a filling openin an outlet locatedout of alinement witli the opening, and a removable closure for thefilling opening, of means for concurrently closing the outlet andlocking said closure against opening movement, said means including anelement adapted to cooperate with said closure, said element beingpositioned to prevent obstruction of the filling openin 7. Thecomination with a tank having a filling opening, an outlet located outof alinement with the opening, and a removable closure for the fillingopening, of nor- 110 mally-inactive means Within the tank for lockingsaid closure against opening movement, said means including a lockingbolt within the tank and shiftable to colin-state with the closure tolock the closure, said h5 bolt being positioned to prevent obstructionof the filling opening, and mechanism operative at will to release saidbolt from its locking position to permit closure movement.

8. The combination with a tank having a filling opening, an outletlocated out of alinement with the opening. a removable closure for thefilling opening, said closure having a skirt and an opening within theskirt. of means for locking said closure against opening movement` saidmeans including a locking-bolt within the tank and shift-.aille into andout of said opening, said belt being positioned to prevent obstructionof the filling opening, a. member shiftable in directions angular to thedirection of movement of the bolt to control the movements of theletter, and means for controlling the movements of the member.

9. The combination with a tank having an outlet, of a closure for seid.outlet, and means for controlling the movements of said closure, saidmeans including an element adapted to be reciprocated in the directionof closure movement, saiflelemen t carrying the closure, a locking boltmovable in directions angular tothe direction of element movement, saidelement and bolt having eomplemental means for locking the element inposition to retain the closure active, said bolt being' normallyinactive, said element having n member nornmlly projecting` from thetank when the closure is inactive and shiftable inwardly to render `thebolt and closure active, and means 'for retracting said bolt to permitelement movement to sbift the closure to inactive position.

10. The combination with a tank having' an outlet` of a Closure for saidoutlet. and means for controlling the movements of said closure. saidmeans including an clement adapted to be reciproeated in the directionof closure movement, said element carrying the closure. a locking boltmovable in directions angular to the direction of element movement. saidelement and bolt having eomplemental means for automatically looking theelement in position to retain tbe closure active. said bolt beingnormally inactive. said element having;r a member normally projectingfrom the tank when the closure is inactive and shiftable inwardliY torender the bolt and closure active. and means for retreating said boltto permit element movementl to shift the closure to inuetive position. f

11. The combination with a tank havingr an outlet, of a closure for saidoutlet` and means for controlling the movements of said closure. saidmeans including an element adapted to be reeiprooated iii the direction.of closure nmveinent, said element carrying;

the closure by o lost-1notion connection, :t looking bolt movable indirections angular to the direction of element nmvenmim said ein mentand bolt having oonipleniental menne Afor loekinigl the element inposition to retain the Closure native, .said bolt being; normallyinactive, said element having n member nor Hh mally projecting fro-nithe tank when tin; closure is inactive and filiifable inw-Ueli); torender the bolt and closure :ii-tive and in aff for retrait-ting saidbolt to peri Y files inoveinei'lt io sliiit the closure to leavin w miHitiun.

l2. The coinbinntmn will@ :i tenir. 1i-wing; a filling opening :1nd anoni ,and a einem for the illing opening?, o' normally -insntiw mechanismfor closing :said outlet Jilii fil? locking said rlosm'e againstopening; mme ment` said means incinding a. sbiftabh ein ment carrying :ivalve for said outlet` :i ioigli ing bolt movable into and out of'engagement with said closure seid bolt and lement inw ingr complmnentnlmeans for shifting said bolt into looking relation to the fiosni'e byelement n'iovenients. a normaily-ii'iattive locking bolt for saidelement. seid latterbolt and the element having eompei'nentai menne forautomatically looking tbe elenrnt in po sition to retain the outlet'*iisefl and tbe closure looked and rendermi :votive bv finiti" ingr oithe element. n member Carried bv tin: element and normallv projectingfiom tlia tank `for shifting the emment. and mens, for shi fting theelement locliii'ig bolt to peau mit element movement to render themeebenism inactive..

l?. H. MCG-leisen'.

